July 28, 2004

Laos Takes Strict Measures To Preclude Possible Bird Flu Recurrence

The Lao Government on Tuesday ordered the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to work out concrete measures to deal with a possible bird flu recurrence.

The Government urged the Ministry of Public Health to take strict measures to preclude animal-to-human infectious diseases. Furthermore, it asked the Ministry of Trade to pass a provisional prohibition on the import of some animals and processed products alleged to transmit infectious diseases to humans. The Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Security and local authorities were also asked to stop the illegal import of animals.

The Lao authorities have seized and dumped over 840 kg of chicken illegally imported from its neighbouring country Thailand this year.

During the bird flu outbreak in Laos early this year, it conducted a mass cull of over 70,000 poultry infected with the deadly disease.